Hoping to strike a new tone for deterrence, Minister of the Interior Aryeh Deri decides to revoke the residency status of 13 members of Fadi Al-Qunbar's family; 'Let it be known to all who are considering carrying out an attack that their families will pay a heavy price for their actions and the consequences will be severe and far-reaching.'

Danny Adeno Abebe|Published: 10.01.17 , 10:58

Minister of the Interior Aryeh Deri has decided to revoke the permanent resident status of 13 members of Jerusalem terrorist Fadi Al-Qunbar's family,
including his mother, following consultations Monday with the Shin Bet and the Immigration Authority.

As a result of the terror attack, in which four IDF officers were murdered, Minwa al-Qunbar, a permanent resident of Israel who is also in bigamous marriage contrary to Israeli law, will lose her permanent residency and corresponding social benefits.

Scene of the attack (Photo: AFP)

Such a measure has previously never been implemented and prevents the family from appealing to the High Court of Justice, as they are not Israeli citizens.

Minister Deri decided on the measure after discussions with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who supported the move.

Minister of the Interior Aryeh Deri (Photo: Alex Kolomoisky)

Deri, acting on information presented to him by the Shin Bet, also decided on the measure as a means of deterrence against future attackers. As a result, all family members who are not citizens of Israel—including cousins, nephews and aunts and uncles—will lose their permanent residency status immediately.

"This is a decision that signals a new era against terrorism and terrorists who use their status to carry out attacks against citizens. From now on, there will be zero tolerance towards those who are involved in terrorism against Israel," said Minister Deri. "Let this be known to all who are plotting, planning or considering carrying out an attack, that their families will pay a heavy price for their actions and the consequences will be severe and far-reaching."